The Dallas Cowboys have had an eventful start to their 2024 season, characterized by a blend of highs and lows. Their journey has been marked by critical victories and challenging defeats.
A Rocky Start at Home
In their first three weeks, the Cowboys faced consecutive home defeats against the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens. The Saints overpowered them with a 44-19 win, while the Ravens managed a closer 28-25 victory. These early losses set a challenging tone for the Cowboys, who were nonetheless determined to bounce back.
Turning the Tide Against the Giants
The Cowboys found a glimmer of hope with a victory against the New York Giants on "Thursday Night Football," securing a tight 20-15 win. This victory not only improved their season record to 2-2 but also marked Dak Prescott's 13th consecutive win against the Giants. This winning streak ties the second-longest by a quarterback versus a single opponent since at least 1950.
Prescott demonstrated his prowess once again, throwing for 221 yards and completing 22 of his 21 passes. He connected with running back Rico Dowdle for a 15-yard touchdown and delivered a spectacular 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Kicker Brandon Aubrey contributed significantly with field goals from 60 and 40 yards, although he missed a 51-yard attempt, ending his perfect streak from 50-plus yards. Aubrey is now 16 of 17 from such distances and holds the longest consecutive streak of field goals of 50 or more yards in NFL history.
Defensive Challenges and Triumphs
The Cowboys' defense has shown moments of both vulnerability and strength. In Week 3, they allowed a staggering 274 rushing yards against the Baltimore Ravens. However, they turned the tide against the Giants, giving up just 26 rushing yards on 24 carries. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith played a crucial role in stifling the Giants' run game.
Injuries have also plagued the Cowboys. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, key defensive players, were injured during the second half against the Giants. Lawrence, who sustained a foot injury, was sidelined after the third quarter, while Parsons' X-ray results were fortunately negative. Parsons remained optimistic, stating, "I'll be good."
Cornerback Amani Oruwariye sealed the victory against the Giants with a crucial interception with just 15 seconds left on the clock. Meanwhile, DaRon Bland is suffering from a stress fracture in his foot, and Caelen Carson is dealing with a shoulder injury.
The Cowboys' defensive struggles were evident as DeMarcus Lawrence emphasized the need for accountability: "Be credible, f---ing accountable every single play. Get out of playing little league football." Micah Parsons echoed a similar sentiment, stressing the importance of team unity, "We don't need any Supermans at all. We just need 11 guys playing together. Right now, it's just not in unison."
Offensive Woes
Offensively, the Cowboys have faced their own set of challenges. They are currently averaging just 75.3 rushing yards per game, ranking third-worst in the NFL this season. Their average of 3.5 yards per carry is the fourth-worst in the league. CeeDee Lamb holds the Cowboys' longest rush of the season at a mere 12 yards, highlighting the team's struggles on the ground.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys' upcoming matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions will be crucial in determining the trajectory of their season. As they strive to overcome their early-season hurdles, the team will need to address both their offensive inefficiencies and defensive lapses to emerge stronger.
With key players like Dak Prescott and Brandon Aubrey stepping up, and the promise of defensive reinforcements, the Cowboys have the potential to navigate through this challenging phase. The resilience shown in their victory against the Giants offers a glimmer of hope for the games ahead.